Lukins and Frank Connell, the former acting as lookout while Connell took the money. He locked C. W. Smith, the cashier in the vault and started away with the loot, but two men were in the road. He shot through the windshield and killed them both. Others headed him off, and he ran his car into a corn field. Lukins was arrested in the town and Connel was captured in the willows near Tobin's ranch. He confessed, and both men were sent to the penitentiary.

Two other concerns handle money in the county though they are not bankers. Oberfelder Brothers handle hundred of thousands of dollars annually, discounting warrants. Dr. Eichner discounts farm paper and other obligations in large amounts.

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

THE PRESS

There has been no agency employed that is entitled to more credit for the development and advancement of Cheyenne county from its organization than its newspapers. During the first years of the county's history there was not a newspaper published within its boundaries. The Sidney Telegraph clearly has the field in priority of journalism, in Cheyenne county and the Nebraska Panhandle. It was first issued in May, 1873, in style being more like a pamphlet than the news sheet of today. It had four pages with four columns to the page. L. Connell was the publisher at its initiation. It was then bought by Joseph B. Gossage in the autumn of 1874, and the next year George C. Darrow became a partner in the ownership. The Telegraph was then published under the firm name of Joseph B. Gossage & Company. In 1878, a rival newspaper appeared, the Plaindcaler, which was started by W. H. Michael. In 1881, this paper was sold to A. C. Drake who consolidated it with the Telegraph which he then owned.